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Changing Planet: Withering Crops

What will happen to crops, as Earth's temperature rises and soils dry out because of changing climate? A loss of soil moisture causes stress to plants, leading to crop withering. Since humans and animals depend on crops for food, many social problems can be expected to arise due to the impact of climate warming on crops, and the societies that depend on them. Droughts accompanied by increased temperatures can lead to famine, and eventually social and political disruptions. Scientists are studying these problems, and are helping with early identification of drought that might trigger food shortages.

Click on the video at the left to watch the NBC Learn video - Changing Planet: Withering Crops.

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